Boot-protector.



F. NUSSBAUMER. BOOT PROTECTOR.

APPLIOATIOH FILED snrrr. 17, 1912.

Patented Sept.30,19 13.

W/TN 5555's;

Q7/107Q7? W m To all whom it may concern;

UNITED: STATES rmmcn nussnnmnn, or mad, swrrznnmnn.

BOOT-PROTECTOR.

Specification of letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 30, 1918-.

Application filed September 17, um. Serial a 720,801.

Be it known that I, Fnrisniucn NUss- BAUMER, a citizen of the Republic,of Switzerland, residing at Zug in the Canton of Zug, Republic ofSwitzerland, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements inBoot-Protectors; and 'I do ereby declare the following to bea fullclear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and. to lettersof reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specification.

This invention relates to boot protectors designed to reduce wear,especially'uneven wear, of the soles and heels of boots, shoes and thelike. Such protecting devices do not fulfil any other purpose thanprotecting the soles and heels, such as patching damaged portions of thesoles or producing a springy tread.

The subject of the present invention'is a protector for foot-gear whichdoes not in any Way impair the flexibility of the sole, while it alsoserves to patch or render water tight defectiveportions of the sole andin use imparts a springy tread.

With these objects in view the new protector consists of a flexible,springy plate ofsheet metal constructed in such a manner as to leavebetween the footgear and the plate a free space which enables the latterto give a springy effect. The protector is suitable for use on heels andsoles, and in the latter use is adapted to accommodate a patch in thesaid free space in order to increase its patching effect. It alsoprevents slipping on snow and ice.

Several methods of carrying out the subject of the invention areillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Fi resl, 2 and 3 represent two examples of a eel-protector plateandFigs. 4 to 14 show sole protector plates. 7

The forms of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 consist of aheel-shaped strip a. of springy sheet metal, for example hardened steel,which stri is fastened to the heel by vmeans of nails 1 inserted throughholes 6.

The outer side of the plate is beaded as at c, the inner edge d of whichpenetrates into the side of the heel 6. This beading is low in Fig. 1but higher in Fig. 2, and since it gives when trod on, it makesthe gaitof the wearer soft and, elastic. To prevent slipping the tion shown inFigs. 4 to 14 are made of springy sheet metal, preferably of hardenedsheet steel.

' As shown in the drawings the form of the plate may vary, but in allforms, however the sheet metal plate is provided with a turned uprim fcarrying teeth f which are" forced into the sole. At the same time theinner edge of the rim f also penetrates into the leather and makes atight joint so that no water can penetrate to such portion of the soleas is inclosed by the plate. The free s ace 9 in the plate f is adaptedto receive a india-rubber, leather, guttapercha or the like, whichincreases the patching effect. In walkingon these plates they yield,owing to the presence of the free hollow space '9 between the plate andthe sole. If the said hollow space be filled with a patch h the latterspreads out when trod upon and presses against the joint between theplate the sole, so that a secure patch is produced, even where holes arein the sole. The tread surface of the protector plate f is ribbed toprevent slipping.

The protector plates shown in Figs. 10 to 12 are provided with centralholes 1' for the insertion of a nail f which is intended to be driveninto the sole. This nail strengthens the attachment of the plate f tothe sole. The patch of yielding material placed in the protector rendersthe joint more watertight.

The sheet metal plate shown in Fig. l lis provided with a rounded bend,the inner edge of which can be driven into the sole or heel, to make atight joint over the protected place.

According to the part of the shoe that is intended to be protected, oneor other form of protector plate is used;- and indeed, the plates shownin Figs. 4 to 14 can also be aflixed to places on the heel if it be onlydesired to protect individual portions of the same.

The patch hmay be omitted when -no special patching of a given portionof the sole is desired. The outer and the inner rims of the heel-plateshown in Figs, 1 to 3 may be provided with teeth which latter can bedriven into the tread surface and the side of the heel e.

In Fig. 15 is shown a ribbed protector beading is ribbed. The forms ofthe inven disk 7:. of soft, elastic material, for instance,

and the sole, as also against the surface of protector plate f shown inFig. 16 has the form of a rectangle and is provide with 1'll)S f andmarginal teeth P. The protector plate f shown in Fig. 17 has also theform of a hemisphere and is provided with a central hole f for theinsertion of a nail f intended to be driven into the footgear. In theFig. 18 is shown a heel with three protector plates and in Fig. 19 isshown a sole provided with plates.

The form of the plates and their ribs may vary and the plates arepreferably stamped out hollow.

What I claim is:

A yielding protector for boots and shoes comprising a metal plate havinga turned up rim adapted to be driven into the heel or the sole and torender Watertight a defective portion of the heel or sole and a patch ofyielding material inserted in the hollow of the said plate to render thejoint more watertight.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FRIEDRICH NUSSBAUMER.

WVitnesses:

' HERMANN HUBER,

ALBERT HEINHERR.

